Compromise in the air on health bill
The president used a radio address to suggest he might give a little on an increase he vetoed.
WASHINGTON - President Bush signaled a willingness yesterday to spend more than he had recommended for a popular children's health program, but he provided no specifics on how much higher he would go.
The president on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would increase spending for the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over five years. Bush has called for a $5 billion increase. Several Republicans in both chambers have sided with Democratic lawmakers on the issue.
"If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
Democratic lawmakers say votes to override the president's veto will be held in mid-October. That effort is not expected to succeed.
The program provides health insurance to children in families with incomes too great for Medicaid eligibility but not enough to afford private insurance.
Bush used his radio address to once again make the case that he believes the spending increase sought primarily by Democrats was a step "toward their goal of government-run health care for every American."
Though the government does heavily subsidize the health coverage offered through the program, most SCHIP beneficiaries get coverage through private insurers who contract with states. That was a point stressed by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D., Md.), majority leader in the House, when he provided the Democratic radio address yesterday.
"The truth is, America's largest private insurance lobbying group supports this bill - as do America's doctors, nurses, children's advocates and, most importantly, 72 percent of Americans," Hoyer said.